Hand held appliance

ABSTRACT

A hair care appliance comprising a body having an outer wall, an inner wall and a gasket located between the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein the gasket comprises a seal extending between the outer wall and the inner wall and a centralising feature extending from the inner wall towards the outer wall. The centralising feature may comprise a convex surface extending from the inner wall towards the outer wall. The convex surface may be hemispherical. The outer wall comprises an inner surface and the inner surface may comprise a cooperating centralising feature which may be a number of discrete points of contact radially disposed around the inner surface. The gasket may comprise a further seal extending around an upstream end of the gasket.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of United Kingdom Application No.1520870.5, filed Nov. 26, 2015, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a hand held appliance, in particular a haircare appliance and a fluid outlet from such an appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Blowers and in particular hot air blowers are used for a variety ofapplications such as drying substances such as paint or hair andcleaning or stripping surface layers. In addition, hot air blowers suchas hot styling brushes are used to style hair from a wet or drycondition.

Generally, a motor and fan are provided which draw fluid into a body;the fluid may be heated prior to exiting the body. The motor issusceptible to damage from foreign objects such as dirt or hair soconventionally a filter is provided at the fluid intake end of theblower. Conventionally such appliances are provided with a nozzle whichcan be attached and detached from the appliance and changes the shapeand velocity of fluid flow that exits the appliance. Such nozzles can beused to focus the outflow of the appliance or to diffuse the outflowdepending on the requirements of the user at that time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a hair careappliance comprising a body having an outer wall, an inner wall and agasket located between the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein thegasket comprises a seal extending between the outer wall and the innerwall and a centralising feature extending from the inner wall towardsthe outer wall.

Preferably, the centralising feature comprises a convex surfaceextending from the inner wall towards the outer wall.

In a preferred embodiment the convex surface is hemispherical.

Preferably, the outer wall comprises an inner surface and the innersurface comprises a cooperating centralising feature.

In a preferred embodiment the cooperating centralising feature comprisesa number of discrete points of contact radially disposed around theinner surface.

Preferably, cooperating centralising feature comprises at least threeribs extending radially inwards of the inner surface towards the innerwall.

In a preferred embodiment the at least three ribs comprises four ribs.

Preferably, the centralising feature only engages with the cooperatingcentralising feature.

In a preferred embodiment the seal extends continuously around thegasket.

Preferably, the seal extends continuously between the outer wall and theinner wall.

In a preferred embodiment the inner wall comprises a flange extendingradially around a radially outer surface of the inner wall.

Preferably, the gasket further comprises locating feature for locatingthe gasket with respect to the flange.

In a preferred embodiment the locating feature comprises a recessextending radially around an inner surface of the gasket and wherein therecess is adapted to accommodate the flange.

Preferably, the locating feature comprises a protrusion extendingradially around an inner surface of the gasket wherein when the gasketis attached to the inner wall, the gasket deforms to enable the flangeto pass over the protrusion into the recess.

In a preferred embodiment the gasket comprises a further seal extendingaround an upstream end of the gasket.

Preferably, the outer wall comprises an upstream end and the furtherseal engages with the upstream end of the outer wall.

In a preferred embodiment the outer wall comprises first part and asecond part, wherein the second part comprises the upstream end of theouter wall.

Preferably, the first part engages with the seal and the centralisingfeature.

In a preferred embodiment the second part comprises an annulus having aflange and the first part comprises a cooperating projection wherein theflange engages against a cooperating projection from the first part.

Preferably, the further seal urges the flange against the cooperatingprojection.

Preferably, the appliance is a hairdryer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by example, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an appliance according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a cross section through a gasket according to theinvention;

FIG. 4a shows an enlarged cross-section through part of an applianceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 4b shows a further enlarged cross-section through part of anappliance according to the invention; and

FIG. 5 shows an internal view of the second end of the body of anappliance according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a hairdryer 10 with a handle 20 and a body 30. Thehandle has a first end 22 which is connected to the body 30 and a secondend 24 distal from the body 30 and which includes a primary fluid inlet40. Power is supplied to the hairdryer 10 via a cable 50. At a distalend of the cable 50 from the hairdryer 10 a plug (not shown) isprovided, the plug may provide electrical connection to mains power orto a battery pack for example.

The handle 20 has an outer wall 200 which extends from the body 30towards a distal end 24 of the handle. At the distal end 24 of thehandle an end wall 210 extends across the outer wall 200. The cable 50enters the hairdryer through this end wall 210. The primary fluid inlet40 in the handle 20 includes first apertures that extend around andalong 42 the outer wall 200 of the handle in a series of rows and/orcolumns that extend from the distal end 24 of the handle 20 and secondapertures that extend across 46 and through the end wall 210 of thehandle 20. The cable 50 is located approximately in the middle of theend wall 210 so extends from the centre of the handle 20. The handle 20has a longitudinal axis X-X along which the outer wall 200 extends fromthe body 30 towards the distal end 24.

It is preferred that the cable 50 extends centrally from the handle 20as this means the hairdryer is balanced regardless of the orientation ofthe handle 20 in a users' hand. Also, if the user moves the position oftheir hand on the handle 20 there will be no tugging from the cable 50as it does not change position with respect to the hand when the hand ismoved. If the cable were offset and nearer one side of the handle thenthe weight distribution of the hairdryer would change with orientationwhich is distracting for the user.

Upstream of the primary fluid inlet 40, a fan unit 70 is provided. Thefan unit 70 includes a fan and a motor. The fan unit 70 draws fluidthrough the primary fluid inlet 40 towards the body 30 through a primaryfluid flow path 400 that extends from the primary fluid inlet 40 andinto the body 30 where the handle 20 and the body 30 are joined 90. Thebody 30 has a first end 32 and a second end 34, the primary fluid flowpath 400 continues through the body 30 towards the second end 34 of thebody, around a heater 80 and to a primary fluid outlet 440 where fluidthat is drawn in by the fan unit exits the primary fluid flow path 400.The primary fluid flow path 400 is non-linear and flows through thehandle 20 in a first direction and through the body 30 in a seconddirection which is orthogonal to the first direction.

The body 30 includes an outer wall 360 and an inner duct 310. Theprimary fluid flow path 400 extends along the body from the junction 90of the handle 20 and the body 30 between the outer wall 360 and theinner duct 310 towards the primary fluid outlet 440 at the second end 34of the body 30.

An inner wall 260 extends within the outer wall 360. The inner wall 260at least partially defines the primary fluid outlet 440 and extends fromthe second end 34 of the body 30 between the inner duct 310 and theouter wall 360.

Another fluid flow path is provided within the body; this flow is notdirectly processed by the fan unit or the heater but is drawn into thehairdryer by the action of the fan unit producing the primary flowthrough the hairdryer. This fluid flow is entrained into the hairdryerby the fluid flowing through the primary fluid flow path 400.

The first end 32 of the body includes a fluid inlet 320 and the secondend 34 of the body includes a fluid outlet 340. Both the fluid inlet 320and the fluid outlet 340 are at least partially defined by the innerduct 310 which is an inner wall of the body 30 and extends within andalong the body. A fluid flow path 300 extends within the inner duct 310from the fluid inlet 320 to the fluid outlet 340. At the first end 32 ofthe body 30, a side wall 350 extends between the outer wall 360 and theinner duct 310. This side wall 350 at least partially defines the fluidinlet 320. The primary fluid outlet 440 is annular and surrounds thefluid flow path.

A printed circuit board (PCB) 75 including the control electronics forthe hairdryer is located in the body 30 near the side wall 350 and fluidinlet 320. The PCB 75 is ring shaped and extends round the inner duct310 between the inner duct 310 and the outer wall 360. The PCB 75 is influid communication with the primary fluid flow path 400. The PCB 75extends about the fluid flow path 300 and is isolated from the fluidflow path 300 by the inner duct 310.

The PCB 75 controls parameters such as the temperature of the heater 80and the speed of rotation of the fan unit 70. Internal wiring (notshown) electrically connects the PCB 75 to the heater 80 and the fanunit 70 and the cable 50. Control buttons 62, 64 are provided andconnected to the PCB 75 to enable a user to select from a range oftemperature settings and flow rates for example.

Downstream of the PCB 75, is the heater 80 and a PCB baffle 700 isprovided between the PCB 75 and the heater 80. The PCB baffle providesthermal protection for the PCB 75 when the heater 80 switched on amongstother things.

In use, fluid is drawn into the primary fluid flow path 400 by theaction of the fan unit 70, is optionally heated by the heater 80 andexits from the primary fluid outlet 440. This processed flow causesfluid to be entrained into the fluid flow path 300 at the fluid inlet320. The fluid combines with the processed flow at the second end 34 ofthe body. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the processed flow exits theprimary fluid outlet 440 and the hairdryer as an annular flow whichsurrounds the entrained flow that exits from the hairdryer via the fluidoutlet 340. Thus fluid that is processed by the fan unit and heater isaugmented by the entrained flow.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 3, 4 a and 4 b, the duct 310 isco-moulded with the inner wall 260 which are connected together withsupporting ribs 130. The inner wall 260 channels fluid flowing in theprimary fluid flow path 400 towards the primary fluid outlet 440. Thebody 30 includes, at the second end 34, a front face 340 which extendsparallel to the longitudinal axis X-X of the handle.

The outer wall 360 is formed from two parts. A first part 330 extendsfrom the first end 32 to the second end 34 in two sections. A firstsection 362 extends from the first end 32 and is generally tubular abouta central longitudinal axis Y-Y of the body 30. A second section 364extends from the second end 34 and is angled with respect to thelongitudinal axis Y-Y of the body 30 as the diameter of the body 30decreases towards the second end 34. The front face 340 is orthogonal tothe longitudinal axis of the body 30. A second part 342 forms an annulusthat extends around the front face 340.

The inner wall 260 extends radially around the downstream end of theheater 80. A radially inner surface 260 a of the inner wall 260 directsthe fluid that exits the heater 80 towards the fluid outlet 440. Agasket 116 is provided between the inner wall 260 and the outer wall 360of the body 30. This gasket 116 provides a number of functions fromdifferent features of the gasket.

Firstly, the gasket 116 provides a seal 120 between the outer wall 360and the inner wall 260. The seal 120 is, in this example a lip seal 122that extends radially around an outer surface 116 b of the gasket 116extending from the gasket 116 towards an inner surface 360 a of theouter wall 360. This seal 120 is a fluid seal to prevent fluid thatexits the heater 80 exiting from anywhere other than the primary fluidoutlet 440, for example between the first part 330 and the second part342 of the outer wall 360.

A further seal 124 extends from an upstream end 118 of the gasket 116;this further seal 124 is, in this embodiment, a lip seal 126 thatextends radially around the upstream end 118 of the gasket 116. Thefurther seal 124 is adapted to urge the second part 342 of the outerwall 360 against the first part 330 of the outer wall 360. The firstpart 330 of the outer wall 360 is provided with a projection 332 at thefront face 340 which extends radially inwards of the longitudinal axisY-Y of the body 30. The second part 342 is provided with a flange 344which extends radially around the largest diameter of the second part342. The second part 342 is retained in position by the inner wall 260,the projection 332 and the further seal 124.

In one embodiment the second part 342 is formed from a metallic materialand forms a part of an attachment system for attaching nozzles, forexample concentrating nozzles or diffusing nozzles to the appliance. Thefurther seal 124 ensures correct positioning of the second part 342 andprevents movement of the second part 342 which may produce a noise.

The gasket 116 additionally includes a centralising feature 130 whichcooperates with the outer wall 360 to maintain concentricity of theinner wall 260 within the outer wall 360. In this embodiment, thecentralising feature 130 is curved to minimise the contact between thecentralising feature 130 and the inner surface 360 a of the outer wall360. The inner surface 360 a of the outer wall 360 is provided with fourribs 370 which extend radially inwards of the inner surface 360 a (FIG.5). The four ribs 370 are radially spaced around the inner surface 360a.

It will be apparent to the skilled person that three ribs could be usedor, more than four; four is preferred as it provides a symmetricalsystem.

In order that the gasket 116 is located in the correct place within thebody 30 so that the different functions of the gasket 116 are realised,the gasket 116 is connected to the inner wall 260. The inner wall 260has a flange 264 that extends radially away from an outer surface 260 bof the inner wall 260 towards the outer wall 360.

The gasket 116 includes a protrusion 132 and a recess 134 upstream ofthe protrusion 132 so that when the gasket 116 is mounted onto the innerwall 260, the protrusion 132 must pass over the flange 264 to enable theflange 264 to be seated within the recess 134. The flange 264 has anupstream face 266 and a downstream face 268 and these two faces matewith an upstream surface 136 and a downstream surface 138 of the recess134 respectively.

The invention has been described in detail with respect to a hairdryerhowever, it is applicable to any appliance that draws in a fluid anddirects the outflow of that fluid from the appliance.

The appliance can be used with or without a heater; the action of theoutflow of fluid at high velocity has a drying effect.

The fluid that flows through the appliance is generally air, but may bea different combination of gases or gas and can include additives toimprove performance of the appliance or the impact the appliance has onan object the output is directed at for example, hair and the styling ofthat hair.

The invention is not limited to the detailed description given above.Variations will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

1. A hair care appliance comprising a body having an outer wall, aninner wall, and a gasket located between the outer wall and the innerwall, wherein the gasket comprises a seal extending between the outerwall and the inner wall and a centralising feature extending from theinner wall towards the outer wall, and wherein the inner wall comprisesa flange extending radially around a radially outer surface of the innerwall.
 2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the gasket further comprisesa locating feature for locating the gasket with respect to the flange.3. The appliance of claim 2, wherein the locating feature comprises arecess extending radially around an inner surface of the gasket andwherein the recess is configured to accommodate the flange.
 4. Theappliance of claim 3, wherein the locating feature comprises aprotrusion extending radially around an inner surface of the gasket, andwherein when the gasket is attached to the inner wall, the gasketdeforms to enable the flange to pass over the protrusion into therecess.
 5. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the gasket comprises afurther seal extending around an upstream end of the gasket.
 6. Theappliance of claim 5, wherein the outer wall comprises an upstream endand the further seal engages with the upstream end of the outer wall. 7.The appliance of claim 6, wherein the outer wall comprises first partand a second part, wherein the second part comprises the upstream end ofthe outer wall.
 8. The appliance of claim 7, wherein the first partengages with the seal and the centralising feature.
 9. The appliance ofclaim 7, wherein the second part comprises an annulus having a flangeand the first part comprises a cooperating projection wherein the flangeengages against the cooperating projection of the first part.
 10. Theappliance of claim 9, wherein the further seal urges the flange againstthe cooperating projection.
 11. The appliance of claim 1, wherein thecentralising feature comprises a convex surface extending from the innerwall towards the outer wall.
 12. The appliance of claim 11, wherein theconvex surface is hemispherical.
 13. The appliance of claim 1, whereinthe outer wall comprises an inner surface and the inner surfacecomprises a cooperating centralising feature.
 14. The appliance of claim13, wherein the cooperating centralising feature comprises a pluralityof discrete points of contact radially disposed around the innersurface.
 15. The appliance of claim 14, wherein the cooperatingcentralising feature comprises at least three ribs extending radiallyinwards of the inner surface towards the inner wall.
 16. The applianceof claim 15, wherein the at least three ribs comprises four ribs. 17.The appliance of claim 13, wherein the centralising feature only engageswith the cooperating centralising feature.
 18. The appliance of claim 1,wherein the seal extends continuously around the gasket.
 19. Theappliance of claim 1, wherein the seal extends continuously between theouter wall and the inner wall.
 20. The appliance of claim 1, wherein theappliance is a hairdryer.